NFL Week 6 Rewind

A new style of post this week as I will rewind back to last week's takes and show where I was right and more than likely where I was wrong...

Last week's quote: "I think the Bengals take care of a somewhat struggling Texans squad but look for a good day from Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson. 24-20 CIN" HALF RIGHT HALF WRONG. I thought the Bengals would win this game, which they didn't but I did say that Schaub and Johnson would have a big day and they did (Schaub threw for 392 and 4 TDs and Johnson had 135 yards receiving).

Last week's quote: "I think the temp (Aaron Rodgers) has a good game and the Packers offense finally begins to click." RIGHT. Rodgers played really well throwing for 358 yards and 2 TDs and they offense scored 26 and eased up late against the cowardly Lions.

Last week's quote: "The Vikings have been awesome so far this year and I think Adrian Peterson is due for a big one. Look for Joe Flacco to be chased all day by early Defensive P.O.Y. and perhaps MVP candidate Jared Allen." RIGHT. Peterson ran for 143 yards and Allen had 7 tackles (4 for a loss), 2 QB knockdowns and a sack.

Last week's quote: "Someone will lose their first game of the season Sunday. It will be tough for Drew Brees and Co. against a stingy G-Men D. However, the Saints D isn't too shabby in their own right. I think that the Superdome crowd fuels the Saints early, but in the end the Giants are just too solid. Brees has an okay day but Ahmad Bradshaw blows up for New York. The Giants stay undefeated and the Saints don't. 31-27 NYG" UTTERLY DEAD WRONG!!! The only two calls in this game I was right on are the following: 1. That one team will lose their first game of the season (duh!) 2. The Superdome crowd will fuel the Saints early. (I forgot to mention that they will continue to fuel them the rest of the game). It was not tough for Drew Brees and Co. against the Giants D (Brees had 369 yards passing and 4 TDs and the "Co." I spoke of had 7 different players score a TD). Brees had far better than an okay day and Bradshaw had 10 carries for 48 yards but a TD. So to sum it up... I'm dumb. :(

Last week's quote: "The Steelers proved last week that they are still a good team and I see another rough day for Derek Anderson. Big Ben should have a big game. Omar Epps leads another Steeler victory. 38-13 PIT" RIGHT. The Steelers played well and Derek Anderson did have another rough day by going 9/24 for 122 yards and a QB rating of 51.0. Big Ben did have a big game throwing for 417 yards and 2 TDs and the Steelers won 27-14, and Mike Tomlin still looks like Omar Epps.

Last week's quote: "I keep waiting for this team to get back to running the ball effectively like they did all of last season. I think the perfect medicine for a struggling team is Tampa Bay and Carolina rights the ship this week." RIGHT. They did get that running game back on track by rushing for a total of 267 yards and 3 TDs. They did indeed right the ship against the struggling Buccaneers Sunday.

Last week's quote: "I think Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin have a good day but so does Matt Don't-Hassle-the-beck and Nate Burleson. Seattle wins at home." SOME RIGHT MOSTLY WRONG. Larry Fitzgerald had a big day (career high 13 catches for over 100 yards and a TD) and Boldin played okay before leaving with an injury. I was way wrong by saying Hasslebeck and Burleson would play well (Hasslebeck was 10/29 for 112 yards and a pick, good for a QB rating of 32.5 and Burleson had 2 catches for 40 yards). Most importantly I was wrong in predicting the Seahawks to win.

Last week's quote: "Oh boy, this could get ugly. The Raiders are "real tough" at home in front of the psychopaths who wear shoulder pads and spikes through their Rich Gannon jerseys. Donovan McNabb should have a huge day as long as he stays away from Oakland's only real good player on defense, corner Nnamdi Asomugha. The JaMarcus Russell Experiment is looking like the Jamie Kennedy Experiment... and we all know how well that went. The Eagles soar again . 37-13 PHI" UNBELIEVABLY WRONG--COULDN'T BE MORE WRONG. This did not get ugly unless you're an Eagles fan. McNabb did not have a huge day (0 TDs and a QB rating of 66.3). JaMarcus played well enough to get the win and I look like an idiot once again on this one.

Last week's quote: "I think Brady and Co. are too angry after last weeks loss at Denver to lose this one at home. Moss gets a TD or 2 and so does Welker. 34-20 NE" RIGHT. Moss did get a TD or 2... actually 3, and Welker caught a pair himself. I was wrong in not predicting 5... yes 5, 2nd quarter TD passes for Tom Brady and 59 points by the Pats offense... My bad.

Last week's quote: "Rookie Mark Sanchez plays well at home. 27-13 NYJ" WRONG AND WRONG. Rookie Mark "Sanchise" Sanchez did not play well at home. He actually played like crap (10/29 for 119 yards and 5 INTs with a QB rating less than his number... which is 6 by the way). The Jets did not win. I was wrong.

Last week's quote: "I look for Philip Rivers to take the Bolts on his back (especially because they can't run the ball at all) and win this one at home...I think the CHARGER D settles down a little and plays a bit better. It will be a battle but I think SAN DIEGO makes the AFC West race much more interesting. 28-24 SD" WRONG. Philip Rivers didn't take the Bolts on his back, he was just on his back. The O-Line was once again awful and I might point out that I did say that they can't run the ball at all... so I at least had something on point. The CHARGER D settled down enough to give up first downs on 9 of 16 attempts... which is awful. The special teams settled down to watch Eddie Royal zip past them not once but twice on kick return TDs. It was a battle only really in the ridiculous pregame jawing and perhaps in the first half. The AFC West race will be more interesting because it will be exciting to see who finishes in 2nd place if the CHARGERS don't shape up soon.

Best Uni of the Week: AFL Throwback Edition. This one is obvious. The SAN DIEGO CHARGERS Powder Blues are the best in all of football, even though the team isn't.

Overall I was predicted half of the game's correctly which is not very good. 7/14 is not my best effort. Hopefully in Week 7, me and the CHARGERS can pick up our game.

---J

NFL Week 6 Calls

Here are my NFL Week 6 Picks...

Texans @ Bengals: Houston came back late last week at Arizona only to be stuffed at the 1 yard-line 3 times in a row with their best player Andre Johnson on the sidelines for no reason. The Bungles are actually playing well and if not for that freak play Week 1 against Denver, they would be 5-0. I think the Bengals take care of a somewhat struggling Texans squad but look for a good day from Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson. 24-20 CIN

Lions @ Packers: Detroit is not that great and injury concerns for QB Matt Stafford and "Megatron" Calvin Johnson can't help. I think the temp (Aaron Rodgers) has a good game and the Packers offense finally begins to click. Look for Ryan Grant to have a good day. 34-20 GB

Ravens @ Vikings: This should be a really good game. The Baltimore D should be fired up after losing the game last week to Cincy. The Vikings have been awesome so far this year and I think Adrian Peterson is due for a big one. Look for Joe Flacco to be chased all day by early Defensive P.O.Y. and perhaps MVP candidate Jared Allen. 27-24 MIN

Giants @ Saints: Probably the game of the week. Someone will lose their first game of the season Sunday. It will be tough for Drew Brees and Co. against a stingy G-Men D. However, the Saints D isn't too shabby in their own right. I think that the Superdome crowd fuels the Saints early, but in the end the Giants are just too solid. Brees has an okay day but Ahmad Bradshaw blows up for New York. The Giants stay undefeated and the Saints don't. 31-27 NYG

Browns @ Steelers: The Browns beat the Bills last week on the arm of QB Derek Anderson. I mean, he had a absolutely huge day... completing 2 of 17 passes for 23 yards. He actually completed 3 passes if you count the pick he threw. Brutal. Basically the Browns are bad. The Steelers proved last week that they are still a good team and I see another rough day for Derek Anderson. Big Ben should have a big game and look for rookie Mike Wallace to keep up an impactful freshman campaign. Omar Epps leads another Steeler victory. 38-13 PIT

Panthers @ Buccaneers: The Buccaneers have played like real Scallywags. Maybe even Landlubbers. Either way they have been terrible and the Panthers have not been much better. Carolina did win last week and I keep waiting for this team to get back to running the ball effectively like they did all of last season. I think the perfect medicine for a struggling team is Tampa Bay and Carolina rights the ship this week. 34-20 CAR

Chiefs @ Redskins: The Indian (feather, not dot) Bowl should be a real gem. God... I don't know if someone could pay me enough money to sit through this game...and I'm an incredibly poor college student. Will the bend but then break defense of the Chiefs be able to withstand the putrid offensivee attack of Jim Zorn? Will Larry Johnson run sideways slowly and then get tackled or pushed out of bounds? Too many interesting story lines to count. Should be a great one. 17-13 WSH

Rams @ Jaguars: Another real spectacle. The Rams are absolutely awful. The Jags may have looked the worst of any NFL team in Week 5, save Oakland. I have to think that Steven Jackson has a good day but David Garrard does enough to get his Jags a much needed "W" at home. 24-13 JAX

Cardinals @ Seahawks: A big NFC West match up between to 2 fierce birds. Since both teams are of the avian variety... I think this game will be played in the air...aka, revolve around each team's passing game. The Cards made the Texans look like my car by pooping all over them with a potent offense attack in the first half last week, but then they stopped playing. Seattle just beat the hell out of Jacksonville. I think Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin have a good day but so does Matt Don't-Hassle-the-beck and Nate Burleson. Seattle wins at home. 34-28 SEA

Eagles @ Raiders: Oh boy, this could get ugly. The Raiders are "real tough" at home in front of the psychopaths who wear shoulder pads and spikes through their Rich Gannon jerseys. Donovan McNabb should have a huge day as long as he stays away from Oakland's only real good player on defense, corner Nnamdi Asomugha. The JaMarcus Russell Experiment is looking like the Jamie Kennedy Experiment... and we all know how well that went. The Eagles soar again . 37-13 PHI

Titans @ Patriots: The Titans are in transition and it is looking as though Vince Young may be getting some support from fans towards a return to the starting QB spot. Either way I think Brady and Co. are too angry after last weeks loss at Denver to lose this one at home. Moss gets a TD or 2 and so does Welker. 34-20 NE

Bills @ Jets: The Bills looked really bad last week. The Jets blew a late lead to the Miami Wildcats. I look for the Jets D to get it together this week and a struggling Bills offense should help that cause. Rookie Mark Sanchez plays well at home. 27-13 NYJ

SNF:Bears @ Falcons: Should be a good game... it definitely has a good nickname match up. Jay "Crybaby" Cutler vs. Matt "Matty Ice" Ryan. Matt "the Force" Forte vs. Michael "the Burner" Turner. Anyway... the Falcons played really well at San Francisco last week and I think the momentum continues this week. Jay Cutler will play decent and so will Matt Forte but I still think Hotlanta wins this one. 27-20 ATL

MNF: Broncos @ CHARGERS: This is an enormous game for SAN DIEGO. If they lose this one, they will be 3.5 games back of Denver. I look for Philip Rivers to take the Bolts on his back (especially because they can't run the ball at all) and win this one at home. Brandon Marshall may catch 25 balls this week but at least he wont be running by/through/around Clinton Hart who was cut this week (thank God). I think the CHARGER D settles down a little and plays a bit better. It will be a battle but I think SAN DIEGO makes the AFC West race much more interesting. 28-24 SD

Jake's Power Rankings through Week 5

1. New York Giants

2. Indianapolis Colts

3. Minnesota Vikings

4. New Orleans Saints

5. Denver Broncos

6. Cincinnati Bengals

7. Philadelphia Eagles

8. Atlanta Falcons

9. Chicago Bears

10. New England Patriots

Jake's Bottom of the Barrel Rankings

27. Buffalo Bills

28. Tennessee Titans

29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

30. Oakland Raiders

31. Kansas City Chiefs

32. St. Louis Rams

That's it for Week 6...

---J

NFL Week 5 Impressions

Here's what I learned after another swell week of the NFL season...

Week 5 Impressions...

1. The Jaguars aren't back. Jacksonville rolled up Tennessee last week and some thought (me included) that they may be on the up-swing. Negative. Instead, the Jags went into Seattle to play the Seahawks and decided to get embarrassed. David Garrard was not very good and Maurice Jones-Drew had under 60 yards rushing. They gave up 41 points to the Seahawks which is pretty unbelievable. Also, not scoring any points whatsoever doesn't help.

2. The Broncos have some of the worst looking throw back unis ever. The only thing worse than these unis is Kyle Orton's neck beard and perhaps most of Soulja Boy Tell Em's songs. However, they did have some cool looking socks. They got a huge OT win at home against head coach Josh McDaniels' old colleagues. Next week on Monday night is a huge divisional match up at SAN DIEGO. But either way those unis were terrible.

3. Dre Bly is in for a long week. The 49ers corner is in for a fun ass-chewing by "Samurai" Mike Singletary. Bly picked off Matt Ryan at his own 20 yard line and began high-stepping like "Neon" Deion Sanders with 75 yards to go until the end zone. Bly then proceeded to get caught from behind by Roddy White (who Bly referred to as Rodney White in a post-game interview), then was stripped and lost possession of the ball. Bad enough I know... but here's the best part... the Niners were losing by 25 points at the time... and... Bly was torched for over 200 yards receiving by White already. Good luck explaining that one to Big Mike Singletary. Good luck with that one Dre.

4. The St. Louis Rams will not win a game this season. With Kyle Boller/Marc Bulger at the helm and the rest of the offense hell bent on turning the ball over, the Rams will go oppo-undefeated this year. The defense is not very good either so when you put the two together you can see why this team is awful. Look for Sam Bradford to be wearing Blue and Gold next season in the Loo.

Best Uni of the Week...

Oddly enough from the same game as the worst unis, the Patriots all-white throwback unis win the award this week. Those unis were great. The center dressed as a patriot snapping the ball is a great logo. Well done New England.

---J

NFL Week 5 Calls

Here are my NFL Week 5 Calls...

Browns @ Bills: The Browns are playing like something else that's brown. The Bills haven't been playing too well either. I think the Bills win this one at home and Trent Edwards has a good day in Buffalo. Cleveland continues to stink. 24-13 BUF

Cowboys @ Chiefs: Video footage shows that Tony Romo didn't know what down it was last week when he blew the game at the 1 yard line against the Broncos. Against the Chiefs I don't think it matters if he knows what down it is, the Chefs are that bad. 31-17 DAL

Vikings @ Rams: I still don't think the Rams are going to win a game this season. The Vikes could have a let down this week after a big win vs. Green Bay, but I think even if they let down this week they still win by 2 TDs. They unleash All Day Adrian Peterson and he goes for at least 150. 34-13 MIN

Raiders @ Giants: The undefeated G Men at home against the lowly Raydahs... I see a blowout, even if Eli "Woman"ning is hindered by an injured heel. Look for JaMarcus Russell to have a big day. Hahaha, I couldn't even type it with a straight face. 27-17 NYG

Buccaneers @ Eagles: Donovan McRib returns this week and the Bucs are struggling in all facets of the game. I think Desean Jackson has another big week and the birds roll. Look for Brent Celek to play well. 34-17 PHI

Steelers @ Lions: The Steelers rolled up the CHARGERS last week and the Lions have a hurt QB, not to mention that they are still not a very good team. Troy Polamolu may return this week and that will be a boost. Look for Big Ben to have a good day through the air. Look for the CHARGERS defense to give up another 200 yards even though they are on a bye this week. 31-16 PIT

Redskins @ Panthers: Both teams could really use this win. The Panthers are coming off a bye week and the Skins off a win. Look for DeAngelo Williams to blow up this week and for Carolina to get their running game back on track. 26-20 CAR

Falcons @ 49ers: The Niners finally signed Michael Crabtree so that's nice. The Falcons come off a bye week and I can see Matty Ice and The Burner Turner having a good week against a good San Fran D. SF linebacker Patrick Willis is an absolute beast but still they lose. 24-17 ATL

Bengals @ Ravens: The Bengals took 5 quarters last week to beat the lowly Browns. The Ravens had the Patriots on the ropes if not for a dropped pass at the 5 in the 4th quarter. I think Joe Flacco has a big day and Carson Palmer struggles against the Ravens stout D. 24-10 BAL

Jaguars @ Seahawks: This should actually be a good game, even though I don't really care to watch it. I see David Garrard having a nice game and the bowling ball Maurice Jones-Drew picking up a couple spares. Unless the Seahawks wear all neon green unis, they lose at home. 27-20 JAX

Texans @ Cardinals: Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson should have a big day because Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie (yes, My Antonio's cousin) is playing as bad as his older cousin. But Fitzgerald, Boldin and Old Man River are chomping at the bit to get back on the field. If the Cardinals D plays as tough as the stadium security (I got booted while filming a school project) they should win. 27-24 ARZ

Patriots @ Broncos: I said it last week that finally the Broncos played a real team. Too bad the Cowboys didn't quite show up or have a clue in the 4th quarter. I look for a rude awakening this week for the Donkeys. They have lucked out twice this season but to their credit... have found a way to win. Not this week. This guy named Thomas Brady will find some guy named Randall Moss for a pair of TDs. 38-17 NE

SNF: Colts @ Titans: The Colts O has been piping hot and the Titans have struggled. Even at home I think Tennessee loses. Chris Johnson has a good day for the Titans... and it feels good... but... it ain't enough. Peyton Manning yells "Omaha" a bunch and throws 3 TDs. 31-24 IND

MNF: Jets @ Dolphins: Somehow this is the Dolphins 2nd Monday night game already this year. At least the Jets are pretty good so one team will be interesting to watch. I'm setting the early over-under line for how many times the ESPN broadcast booth says "wildcat" at 263. Look for Broadway Mark Sanchez to play well after struggling last week. Jets bounce back on prime time. 27-17 NYJ

Jake's Power Rankings through Week 4

1. New York Giants

2. Indianapolis Colts

3. Minnesota Vikings

4. New Orleans Saints

5. New York Jets

6. Denver Broncos (only until they lose)

7. New England Patriots

8. Baltimore Ravens

9. San Francisco 49ers

10. Chicago Bears

Jake's Bottom of the Barrel Rankings

28. Oakland Raiders

29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

30. Kansas City Chiefs

31. Cleveland Browns

32. St. Louis Rams

That's it for Week 5...

---J

NFL Week 4 Impressions

Here's what I learned after another wonderful week of the NFL season...

Week 4 Impressions...

1. Brett Favre can still throw the football. The almost 40 year-old QB threw some bullets all over the field last night against his former team. I don't think Favre can

play this well all year, but he can still throw the rock. But so can Ryan Howard from The Office (Aaron Rodgers), if he didn't get sacked 8 times. He looked pretty good at times last night.

2. The CHARGER defense is terrible without Jamal Williams. Or should I just say the CHARGER defense is terrible in general. The defensive line is really bad and the "tackling" on the defensive side of the ball is awful. They weren't playing like a great defense with the gigantic blob in the middle but they sure were playing a lot better. Clinton Hart and Stephen Gregory are absolutely terrible. "My Antonio" Cromartie played the worst game I have ever seen. If he wasn't getting burnt he was getting flagged. I wish just one time on a third down that the Bolt's D could get the hell off the field.

3. Dallas is not as good as the hype says. It seems like this is the case every year but this season it seems to be particularly true. Tony Romo isn't that good and the defense hasn't been able to make a big play late in the game. I don't think missing T.O. is the problem but something isn't right in Big D.

4. Al Davis is a brilliant drafter. Here are his 1st round draft picks from the last 3 years and their stats from Sunday.

2007-- JaMarcus Russell -- 12/33 for 128 yards 0 TDs (QB rating of 48.5).

2008-- Darren McFadden -- 6 carries for -3 yards, 1 catch for 5 yards.

2009-- Darius Hayward-Bey -- 1 catch for 20 yards, 1 carry for 18 yards.

No wonder they are doing so well. This shows me a Commitment to Excellence.

That's it for week 4...

---J

3 and Out: NCAA Football Week 5

Time once again to go 3 and out...

NCAA Football Week 5

1st down: Upset Alert:
#4 LSU @ #18 Georgia: Losing to a top 20 team is usually not an upset, but when your ranked in the top 5 I think it is. LSU has not really played anyone good yet and last week should have lost to Mississippi State if the Bulldogs QB would have just reached the ball out on a 4th quarter QB sneak at the goal line. I think Georgia gets A.J. Green the ball frequently and he has a big day. Look for the #4 ranked Bayou Bengals to struggle between the Hedges.

2nd down: TCGU (This Could Get Ugly) Alert:
UC Davis @ #5 Boise State: The Broncos offense has scored 167 points in 4 games this season. Add in the fact that they are at home on the blue turf and they could run up close to 60 against a "tough" Aggie D that has given up 21 points a game against some less than stellar opponents.

Washington State @ #16 Oregon: First off, the Ducks have some of the best/ worst unis ever. They also have a pretty good offense and they are tough to beat at crazy Autzen Stadium. The Cougars are starting a freshmen QB on the road... good luck. I think Ducks QB Jeremiah Masoli could have an enormous day both through the air and on the ground. Look for a big win for UO.

3rd down: Players To Watch This Week:
1. Michigan QB Tate Forcier: The super-frosh gets to play his first road game ever... and its at in-state rival Michigan State. I think Forcier will play well but it will be interesting to see how he responds to the noise at Spartan Stadium as well as how his throwing shoulder is feeling after looking hurt late last week.

2. USC QB Matt Barkley: Another true freshman starter at a big-time school, Barkley has a real test on the road at Bizzirkley. Without Stafon Johnson, Barkley will have to do a little more than manage the game to win at Cal. Barkley needs to come up big at Berkley if the Trojans want to have a chance to take the PAC-10 crown this season.

3a. and 3b. Cincinnati QB Tony Pike and WR Mardy Gilyard: The Bearcats tandem has connected for 442 yards and 6 TDs so far this season and they are salivating to face the awful defense of Miami of Ohio. The Redhawks D has given up of 41 points a game this season. This match up could boost Pike's ever-rising Heisman hopes.


Uni Match Up of the Week: (last week):
USF @ Florida State: The Bulls all-green unis with the gold helmets are great. Pit that up against the all-white with gold of the Seminoles and you've got yourself a great uni match up.





There's my three downs (plus a uni match up) for College Football Week 5...

... and now I'm out.

---J